Well, I always like to try something new here in Hogland, and 2025 will be no different as we are launching Three Bonny New Competitions, that are very much aimed at giving Debut Poets a chance to get their work into print, as well as everybody else.
Two, we have done something similar in the past, but the third – our beautiful wee Pocket Hedgehog series – are something particularly gorgeous and cute and build on the Little Black Books of last year and are AWESOME.
Just saying.
This is going to be a nice looking series of beautiful wee (8″ x 5″) collections that will showcase the work of a first-time poet. I’m determined that these will prove to be a badge of honour and have already selected posh papers to make sure that is the case.
The first opportunity to be a part of this is already open, and closes at the end of January – so don’t miss it if you are looking for a home for your debut
Pocket Hedgehog Micro Collections
These are something entirely new, and will again be a series that I hope will run and run, featuring up to 8 poems from a single poet and cover artwork based on traditional Japanese Shima-Shima woodblock printing.
These are open to all poets, not just Debutantes :) – and the first opportunity to have your work in one is open already – finishing at the end of February.
Over 30s Pamphlet Competition
This won’t launch until March, but aims to give an opportunity to the Over 30s, and whilst it isn’t restricted to Debut collections, we do think it is a nice antidote to the tendency to have first collection competitions restricted to people in their 20s.
More about that as we get closer though, and I really must remember to wrap up warm or I’ll catch my death, though only when I’m outside as I won’t feel the benefit of it otherwise.
A beautiful start to 2025, Mark.
Fresh, innovative and very Hedgehog,
Thanks Mike :)